Baffle mounting for air circulator units



Oct. 2, 1945. J. c':. BI RITTINGHAM 2,385,773-

' BAFFLE MOUNTING FOR AIR CIRCULATOR UNITS I Filed 001,20, 1943 INVENTOR; Jams QBR/TTINGHAM' ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 2, 1945 BAFFLE MOUNTING FOR. AIR CIRCULATOR UNITS James C. Brittingham, St. Louis, Mo. Application October 20, 1943, Serial No. 507,225

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in baffle mounting for air circulator units, and more particularly to an improved floating arrangement of baffle elements utilized in room air circulators, usually in functional combination with motordriven fans.

Each of the more usua1 and widely sold types of portable room air circulating units embodies an electric motor of vertical shaft type, a propeller fan driven thereby, and a baffle arranged across the fan discharge stream in such manner as to cause deflection of the air delivered by the fan, in a generally annular pattern of a somewhat upward trend. Until recently, with but few unimportant exceptions, no provisions were made for varying the pattern. of the air stream discharged from the unit; nor for selectively directing the air stream. For this reason, even though it is frequently desirableto direct all or a major partof the fan output in a given direction from the unit, this was nevertheless impossible of attainment by any fully satisfactory means. It is accordingly a major object of the present invention to enable, automatically under g at least certain conditions, the direction of the air stream from a circulator unit of the type in discussion, in a more or less defined beam or path directed for maximum comfort, and without material loss of the full displacement effect of the fan.

Another object of the invention is attained in provisions for a self adjusting baffle in a room circulator, such as to render the unit automatically capable of shifting the direction of a major part of the air stream, when the unit i placed near external obstructions-such as a wall or partition, or when obstructed on more than one of its sides, as when located in the corner of a room or other enclosure. an improved baffle mounting provides for a selfvarying angularity of baffle resulting in an automatically directional damping device.

Yet another important object of the invention is attained in an arrangement of fan and bafile in a unit of. the general type described, such as In keeping with this object, --v

to obtain an effect corresponding substantially to that of an oscillatin type of desk fan, yet not requiring anytranslatory movement of the fan,

nor any mechanical actuation of the cooperating baffle.

Yet an additional object of the invention is attained in combination-with some or all of the agencies identified with attainment of the foregoing objects, and in combination therewith an improved arrangement for varying a tentatively fixed angularity of ba-ille in a room air circulator unit.

A further important object of the invention is attained in an improved design of tiltable bafile member designed particularly for use in air cirsired, directlyfrom the columns l0, ll,

proved construction of bafile further including particularly-shaped marginal portions. adapted to effect delivery of the deflected air streami at a more desirable angle, and in a more. favorable pattern. j

Yet another object of the invention may be stated as attained in apendularly mounted bafile andimproved mounting means therefor, in such a combination that the baffle is located in the discharge stream of the fan, in such arelation as to attain a novel air-directing and -defiecting result, but without back-pressure effects on the fan, thus providing for a free-air relationship of the fan to the otherv elements of the unit. T

The foregoing and numerous other objectswill .more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the improvements in a circulator unit, particularly when the description is read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, in which: I

Fig; 1 is a top or plan View of a room-air circulator of portable type, embodying present improvements; g

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the assembly or unit, and v a Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the assembly, as taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

indicated at l2 and i3; the latter columns are for reasons hereinafter better appearing, extended. upwardly somewhat beyond the elements In and I l. The vertical columns are structurally secured in angularly spaced relation through a pair or more of frame bands, one being sh'own at H at the lower portion of the frame, and anotherat 15 in an upper portion. The frame bands 14 and I5 are shown as securely attached to the uprights by means of rivets or the like I6.- 1

A cylindrical grille element I1 is supported by, securely fixed to and serves to bridge'the frame bands I4 and I5; This grille may assume a variety of forms, but is shown as constructed of sheet metal, profusely apertured, andis provided with grille-like end members l9 andiflp Suspended from the lower band M or if del2 and I3, or some thereof, are a plurality of motorsupporting' arms 2! which are conveniently bolted to the frame of the motor 22 at their inner ends, and secured as by certain of the rivets l6, either to the band [4 or to some or all of the uprights In, H, I2 and I3,

As will appear, and in keeping with frequent practice now well known, the motor shaft which is vertical, "extends upwardly from the motor 5 frame 22, being indicated as 23, and at or near its outer end serves to carry and to rotate, a pro peller type fan generally indicated at 24. Such adjuncts as make for convenience of lifting the unit from place to place, and for other purposes, may be added as desired, but are not of themselves material to the present invention It may however be noted as desirable to provide .a mo-- tor controlling unit generally indicated at 25 embodying a control knob 26, and providin "for a plurality of difierent motor speeds whereby to regulate the fan speed, hence to govern air idelivery by the unit. v ,While-most usefully employed in functional combination with the elements described, the present improvements are identified principally withv the baflle mounting and structural provi-V sions for a novel function ofthebafile as will now be described.

It ,is contemplated that innormal use the baffle, generally indicated atBO, shall be iioatingly and pendularly mounted transversely of the air stream delivered, preferably upwardly as by fan 24. By preference, butobviously not necessarily, the bafiie 30is substantially circular in lanand inthe example shown, its .faceportionencountered by the. air stream isv of a substantially planar aspect. The baifie 30 is provided with a pair of upwardly extended suPDQrting arms 3i, each of which is aperturedto receive a bearing or otherwise constitute a journalling portion, coacting with a pivot rod, later described; The ballle 30 is further preferably provided with a plurality of parallel, spaced depending, ,plfotuber ant rib or flange portions which may be' formed integrally with the body of the baffle, and are generally designated at 32. This provision is, of distinct advantage in, a 'tiltablebafiie, I in that it tends to resolve the rotary components or motion of the fan stream, so as, to a greater extent, to straighten and definitely to direction the air stream, particularly when the baflle is tilted.

A further'improvement in construction of the baiile-tfl, is seen in the provision of slightly downturned lip elements 33, there being one of these by preference on each of the opposite margins ofthe baffle 30 in iocations remote from the pivot axis of the baflie. It will now readily appear that, when the baflle is depressed atone side of the unit-the lip formation 33 at ohe high sideof the baflle, will: tend markedly to deflect toward the horizontal, the stream of air delivered from the lip-carrying margin of the bafile. The baffle' is further preferably formed in order to permit 'a freedom of swinging movement, with a pair of oppositely disposed apertures or slots 38, each of these beingof a size to receive therethrough-the adjacent upright element such as l2 or l-3, by which the baffle is supported throughthe agency of a pivot rod 35; It will now readily appear that the extremities of the slotted openings 34 will, at either extreme of oscillation of bafiie' 30, coact with the adjacent upright element [2 or 13, ina manner definitely to limit the range or amplitude of swinging motion of the balfie. "j

Another preference in constructing the baflle, is-that it shall be somewhat greater in area, and

if circular, of a somewhat larger diameter than thediain-eter of'the-fan 24. As one example of this relationship it has been found that, with the parts proportioned and spaced substantially as shown by the drawing, when utilizing a propeller type fan 24, the bafile should be at least of an area corresponding to that of a circular bafile of diameter.

The design of the bafile and the aXis rod element 35 therefor is such that the baffle is sup- 1 ported in the unit and directly in the line of air 10 discharge flow from' the fan, in a condition of delicate or sensitive physical balance, and by further preference, is mounted in such a manner that friction at rest is minimized. Provision to this end is made in the structure illustrated by 15 disposingsay a pair of spaced bearing assemblies which are of rolling antifriction type, such as ll bear s, these b in ee e i dwai at 36 and 31. Each such-assembly includes by preference an'inner race and an outer race, the inner race serving to receivethe shaft or rod 35 and the outer race Welded, rivetedor otherwise secured, preferably to the adjacent arm 3|. It

will now have clearly appeared that, assuming the rod 35 to be stationary, the baffle is free to ,25 oscillate under influence of fluctuations of air velocity and pressure on its different portions on opposite sides of its-supporting pivot.

For the purpose ofrendering the' baffle sensitive to effects tending to cause occasional oscillations thereof about its axis, it will have appeared as desirable that thebaflle be formed with its ,center of mass and center of gravity located appreciably below, and in the relation of a pendulum to the axis ofbaflle oscillation, in the pres- 5 cut example, this axis being identified with the rod 35. This results from thefact that the rod is, when a circularbaille is utilized, extended diametrally of but somewhat above the baflle, so

that equal masses of the latter aredisposed on opposite sides of the rod. V

lt'will now have appeared that theupwardly p g ting arms 3| "by Which the baifie til is directly supported, result in the behavior of the ba'fiie somewhat in ace'ordance with the laws governing pendular motion. This effect'is of course modified by the elTect of the air pressure on the baflle, particularly uneven air pressures on differ-ent portions of the b'afile." Having inmind that, under most-conditions of usage, with the fan 24 rotating at a uniform selected speed, the

bafile will assume an oscillatory or swinging-movement, it may be desirable as a matter of personal preference of the user, to be able to regulate or adjust the amplitude-and hence the period orfrequency of motion of the bafile. This result is conveniently accomplished by providing -baflle 30 with adepending threaded rod or the like shown at'38, threadedly engaging which, for purposes of adjustmentfls a counterweight nut 39. This need be only of moderate mass, and it has been found that the rod38 need be of no great length since the action of'the baille is nicely sensitive even to minor adjustments of the 'counterweight '39 on the rod 38." It Will be understood that the device is operative without this added convenience and facility for adjustment, although the feature is highly desirable.

As a convenient means ofassembling the pivot-forming rod 35 to the frame of the unit, the V 7 ends ofthe-rod may be threaded and extended through suitable transverse openings 43 in the opposite paired columnsor uprights I2 an-d,j 3. Nuts 44 may be employed in threaded engagement with the ends of the rod 35 whereby 7 through clamping actuation of' the nuts 44 the wardly each of the one or more baffle clamping screws 45 so as to bring the end of the screw into firm contact with the underlying portion of rod 35. The screws 45 each extends threadedly through a tapped bushing or nut 46Which may be welded into a suitable opening therefor in a employed to protect the bearing assemblies 36' and 31. The desired fixed angular position of the baffie 30 is first determined by effect, then with the baffie manually positioned at the desired angularity, the locking screws 45 are actuated as described.

Proceeding now with a description of the normal function of the exemplary embodiment of the improvements, it results from the fact of the sensitively balanced mounting of the baffle about its axis that the air stream from the fan 24, in perfectly quiet ambient air and with no obstruction of any nature in or near the unit, the air pressure against the sides of the baffling surface of member 30 will be exactly equal. Thus the balanced condition of the bafile tends at all times to keep it stationary, and when used with a vertical fan as shown, in a horizontal plane.

In practice, however, the condition just de scribed is at nearly all times and in nearly all locations only theoretical. Experience in numerous trials over a protracted period of usage of a device such as that illustrated, indicates that normal movements of air in a room, and the rebound effect from obstructions to the air stream, even those relatively remote from the unit, are such as to produce frequent disturbances of the uniform air stream delivered by the fan. From this it results that under practically all conditions when the fan 24 is operating, the baffle 30 Will exhibit an oscillating motion about its axis, the obvious effect of which, on the room occupants, approximates'that of an oscillating desk fan. The condition just described obtains only in case the unit is not disposed close to a wall, piece of furniture, or other similar object. In the latter case the baffle becomes self-positioning or self-adjusting in angularity. Due to the drop in velocity on the obstructed side of the unit, that side of the baffle will sharply dip, the baffle will become relatively stationary in a tilted position, and will serve advantageously to deliver the major part of the air stream in the direction of the high side of the baffle. A comparison of a unit equipped with the present improvements with older types, in which either the baflie is fixedly horizontal or is susceptible of only manual placement at different angles, reveals a marked improvement in the automatically adjusting feature of the current subject matter. In the event of automatic dip of the baffie as described, resulting in the described effect of self-damping of the air flowing toward the obstructed side of the unit, there is but anegligible loss of total air delivery by the unit. The present improvements thus automatically prevent the delivery of substantial proportions of cover member 41, or some equivalent structure the total air stream, in unwanted directions radially of the unit.

As heretofore noted, it is a preference to construct the baffle of a considerably greater area than the diameter of the fan or other displacement agency. The reason for this preference in relative diameter of fan and bafiie, arises in substantial degree by reason of an important feature of construction and combination, namely, the provision of a secondary or auxiliary bailie 50. This member is preferably an inverted frustoconical deflector, but may be of other suitable, even planar form, preferably of two parts, mounted centrally of the unit, and in the upper head or end portion IQ of the enclosure about the fan, as by the bolt 5|, through which the two parts of the baflle are clamped to the element l9.

This auxiliary bafile 50 has an effect of diverting the air radially outwardly and upwardly, so that the principal impact effect of the resultin annular stream therebeyond, is upon the peripheral or marginal areas of the baffie 30 and only to a very minor extent centrally thereof. Although the baffie 30 is operative with a considerably improved efiect and with many advantages over stationary baflle structures heretofore characterizing the art, in the absence of baffle 50, the provision of the auxiliary baffle serves to make the bafile 36 considerably more readily and definitely responsive to the fan stream than would otherwise be the case. But for the provision of the auxiliary baffle 50, the free oscillating action of baffle 36 is in a measure undesirably responsive to strong drafts of outside air and similar uncontrollable effects, whereas the provision of the auxiliary baflle 50 serves distinctly to bring the oscillating or angular adjusting action of baffle 30 solely under the control of the fan. It thereby serves practically to eliminate unwanted effects of stray air currents.

It will now have appeared that the improvements presently selected for description, serve fully to attain each of the several objects and advantages above specifically stated, as well as other important improved results implied from the description of parts and their arrangements.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment thereof, the detail of description is to be understood solely in an instructive and not in any limiting sense, numerous variants of structure and function being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

In a portable air circulator unit including a vertical-shaft fan and fan driving means, a normally horizontal baille at least coextensive with the disc area of the fan, and pivotal supporting means by which the baffle is mounted in balanced condition in the unit transversely of the fan stream, and being so arranged that substantially equal areas of the baffle are located on opposite sides of the pivotal supporting means, whereby the fan stream normally acts to maintain the transverse position of the baflle.

2. In an air circulator unit of portable type, a horizontal propeller fan and driving motor therefor, a baffle of an area to extend substantially fully across the fan stream, for directing the air stream of the fan in an annular direction about the unit, with the fan arranged to deliver the air stream against the bafile and outwardly thereof in substantially a free-air arrangement, and pivot means for mounting the baffle with substantially equal baflle surface on opposite sides of the pivot axis, and with the baiile relatively sensitively balanced about its axis, whereby the baffle is arranged to dip in response to a reduction of air flow toward any region of obstruction laterally beyond the bafile, and to dip toward such region of relative obstruction while correspondingly raising an opposite portion of the baffle, whereby to provide for an increase of air flow toward the relatively unobstructed regions beyond the unit. 3. Incombination in a portable air circulator unit including a, vertical-shaft propeller type fan about which the bafile is freely movable, and the baffle being of such form and provided with an auxiliary pendular weight so arranged that the center of gravity of the movable bafile structure lies below its axis of movement, whereby the baille is suspended in pendular relation.

5. In an air circulator unit, a fan and driving motor therefor, a pendularly mounted bailie I spaced from the fan in the discharge stream l thereof, and a relatively smaller auxiliary baffle disposed between the fan and said pendularly mounted baffle.

6. In an air circulator unit, a fan and driving means therefor, a baffle mounted for free swinging movement beyond the fan in the discharge stream thereof, and being of substantially larger areathan that of the fan circle of said fan, and an auxiliary deflector of substantially lesser area than that of the fan circle and located substantially inwardly from the swingable baffle.

7. In an air circulator unit, a fan and driving means therefor, a sensitively balanced pendularly mounted deflector located across the discharge region of the unit, and an auxiliary deflector of a substantially frusto-conical type, located appre ciably inwardly of the first said baflie and across the center area of the fan stream.

8. In a portable air circulator unit, a propeller type fan and fan motor, a bafiie of an'area at least approximating the disc area of the fan, and bearing a substantially free air-relation to said fan, and disposed substantially beyond the fan as and .part of a-pendular system of baii'ie support, said pendular system including a pivot structure providing an axis of bafile movement which lies across and substantially intermediate the bafile area, and means for adjusting the effective length of the pendulum system of which the baf fle is apart.

9.,The combination and arrangement of ele-.

ments substantially as recited by claim 8 in which the baffle is supported, to provide equal surfaces on opposite sides of a horizontal axis, and the means for adjusting effective pendulum length, is comprised of a threaded rod dependingly supported by the baflle, and a threaded weight adjustably carried by the rod..

.means for the fan, a baffle pivotally mounted in 1 0. In an air circulating unit, a fan, driving the air'stream f the fan somewhat forwardly thereof, and so arranged for tilting movement for various angular presentations to the fan stream, the bafile being provided with a plurality of substantially rectilinear air directing surfaces each of which is of a trend substantially at a right an: gle to the pivot axis of the baffle.

11. In a circular unit including a fan and fan motor, a battle press-formed of a sheet material,

means for mounting the baflie in the unit in a se-' lectively tiltable relation, the baffle being formed to provide a plurality of spaced integral linear protuberances from its deflecting surfaces, said protuberances being of such location and spacing as to define linear channels therebetween.

12. In an air circulator unit including a fan and fan motor, a bafiie mounted for tilting movement so as to be disposable in various angular positions across the air stream, the bafile being characterized by oppositely disposed downturned lip formations on its opposite margins remote from its axis of tilting movement, said margins being formed, when the battle is tilted, so that one thereof serves to direct the air emanating from the unit in a more nearly horizontal trend than the major remaining surface of the baffle.

13. In an air circulator unit including a fan and fan driving motor, a balile adapted to be tilted about an axis for various angular presentations to the air stream from the fan, whereby variously to direct the air stream deflected by the baflle, the baffle being characterized by a plurality of rectilinear surfaces tending to channel or beam the air stream delivered by the unit as a result of the deflecting action of the baffle, and further provided with a pair of opposite, downwardlyturned marginally disposed deflector lips operable selectively, when the baffle is tilted, to impart a horizontal component of movement to the baiile-deflected air stream.

14. In a portable room air circulator unit including a vertical-shaft, horizontal fan, a fan motor, a circular balfle arranged in the unit to extend substantially fully across the fan stream, an axis element on which the baffle is normally horizontally mounted in a state of sensitive balance, and antifriction bearings of rolling type, serving to journal the baffle in floating relation on the axis element thereof.

15. In a room air circulator unit of portable type, a frame structure including a pair of upright frame members, a fan and fan motor carried by the frame, and mounted for initial delivery of air'upwardly through the unit, a baffle in the upper portion of the unit, swingably mounted across the fan discharge stream, the bafiie being provided with a pair of upwardly extending arms, and pivot-forming elements by which the baffle arms and the upright frame members are connected to permit free oscillating movement of the baffle, the bafiie being substantially circular in transverse aspect and formed to present a de-' .manner that the ends of the slots serve to limit the range of swinging movement of the bafiie.

JAMES C. BRITTINGI-IAM. 

